Excessive Oil Consumption - Replace Pistons & Rings Under Warranty

[slam]

I have a Mk6 Golf GTi, 2 years old with 24,000km on the clock. It has been using oil since day 1 – averaging around 1L every 18,000 – 20,000 km.

The dealer recently did the “oil consumption test”, confirmed it consumed 610mL in 980km which is outside acceptable limits. They have ordered new pistons and piston rings.

Has anyone had their pistons and rings replaced due to excessive oil consumption? If so, did that solve the oil consumption problem?

This implies the pistons or the rings or the cylinder bores were out of spec / out of tolerance in the first place. I assume they will check the bores and hone them if necessary?

[Lucas_R]

A girl at work has an Audi A4 2.0TSi 2011 model (same engine as Mk6 GTi) and it was drinking oil like no tomorrow. About a year ago, she got approval from Audi to rebuild the engine with new pistons and rings and the oil consumption is slightly better according to her feedback, but it still drinks a considerable amount.

For 1L every 18-20k km i wouldnt bother getting the engine pulled apart to be honest.

[slam]

For 1L every 18-20k km i wouldnt bother getting the engine pulled apart to be honest.

So you think replacing the pistons and rings could do more harm than good?

[Martin]

For 1L every 18-20k km i wouldnt bother getting the engine pulled apart to be honest.

Absolutely agree!

My car (see signature) uses 2~3 litres per 10k and I'm not bothered
BUT - it depends on you not having any negative side effects
If the engine always starts well, no oil all over the bum of the car, no oil mess in the end of the tail pipe, not blowing smoke, then you're ok

Note - tuned engines with standard narrow band exhaust sensors do blow a fair bit of black smoke however
This normally happens during gear changes and when suddenly dropping the throttle to the floor

So you think replacing the pistons and rings could do more harm than good?

Hell no - just that you may not get a subtantial reduction in oil consuption
However, if this is warranty work I would not turn down new major components

My Nissan 350Z had terrible oil consumption when it was new
At 6 months Nissan decided to replace the engine (it was a common/known issue)
In this case it solved the problem - but it's not always the case

Some of the Porche guys go through a lot of oil without negative side effects

[nat225]

averaging around 1L every 18,000 – 20,000 km

that's almost perfect for the TSI engines!

i'm sure the manual 'normal operating condition' is up to 1L for 1,500km? yours would be 10 times better.

[AdamD]

I have a Mk6 Golf GTi, 2 years old with 24,000km on the clock. It has been using oil since day 1 – averaging around 1L every 18,000 – 20,000 km.

Can you clarify your typo? Presumably you meant to say 1L per 1,800-2,000km. It's not using 1 litre per 18,000-20,000km, if it's using 610ml per 980km.

[slam]

Can you clarify your typo? Presumably you meant to say 1L per 1,800-2,000km. It's not using 1 litre per 18,000-20,000km, if it's using 610ml per 980km.

You're absolutely right, it was a typo. I meant 1L per 1,800 - 2,000km. Sorry for the confusion.

Does this change anyone's previous comments ?

[Lucas_R]

You're absolutely right, it was a typo. I meant 1L per 1,800 - 2,000km. Sorry for the confusion.

Does this change anyone's previous comments ?

Well my car doesn't use a drop, but 1L per 2,000km is still pretty ok according to some others on here. Although if it bothers you that much, get the pistons replaced. In the case of my collegue it didn't make much of a difference.

Alot of the Polo GTI guys have had several engine rebuilds and still chew through oil.

[AdamD]

Well my car doesn't use a drop, but 1L per 2,000km is still pretty ok according to some others on here.

This is true, sadly. I know a guy whose Mk5 GTI burns through 1L in 1,000km, and has since he bought it near-new. That kind of oil consumption is frightening.

[Martin]

You're absolutely right, it was a typo. I meant 1L per 1,800 - 2,000km. Sorry for the confusion.

Does this change anyone's previous comments ?

It's pretty darn high for sure, you may need to add the oil cost to your fuel economy calculations! LOL

But seriously - do you have any negative symptoms?
Put your finger into the tail pipe - if it's dry/sooty then you're fine
If it's wet and slimy then you definitely have a problem

[slam]

It's pretty darn high for sure, you may need to add the oil cost to your fuel economy calculations! LOL

But seriously - do you have any negative symptoms?
Put your finger into the tail pipe - if it's dry/sooty then you're fine
If it's wet and slimy then you definitely have a problem

No negative symptoms that I have noticed. The exhaust pipe seems to be dry - just sooty. Haven't noticed any oily residues yet.

[Martin]

So don't worry

Let the dealer replace pistons and rings under warranty and see what happens

[kaanage]

This is true, sadly. I know a guy whose Mk5 GTI burns through 1L in 1,000km, and has since he bought it near-new. That kind of oil consumption is frightening.

If his average mileage is 10l/100km, the his oil consumption is 100:1.
There are 2-stroke scooters and motorcycles that use less than that.

[darkfriend]

My GTI has done just over 8000km and completed an oil consumption test last week- using 400ml/1000km. It used to be worse. I believe that under 500ml/ 1000km is within 'normal' limits. I keep oil in the boot like I used to with my first car that was older than I was! I've also bought some metal polish to constantly clean the exhaust tips...

Wish it used less oil however...

[Tobes_WIR35]

I go through about 1L every 15,000km. I'd consider that to be pretty normal. The first 15,000 it went through about 2-3L.